The Proper Nutrition For Cystic Fibrosis Patients
The most common inherited disorder in Caucasians is lethal, and it occurs in approximately one in each 2,000 births.
This condition is Cystic Fibrosis, or CF, and although deadly, in recent decades, patients have been known to live longer.
In fact, while at one time children with this condition were not expected to live past the age of 21, many are living well into their thirties and older.
And, although it is dangerous, some female patients are even getting pregnant and delivering babies these days.
How CF Affects Patients There are many factors of CF that can affect patients.
For one thing, it can wreak havoc on the digestive process.
Normally, when a person eats, the food will slide through the digestive tract with the help of slippery mucus.
When the food breaks down, the nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls, and then go into the bloodstream.
The, the heart will circulate the nutrients to the various parts of the body that they need to be.
With CF patients, it does not work this way.
The mucus in the digestive tract is not slippery, but thick and gummy, so food does not slide through easily.
Because of this, food does not digest properly for CF patients, and, even though patients eat the food they need to, they are not getting the proper nutrition, so they are actually malnourished.
In addition to causing malnourishment, CF affects patients' growth patterns, and, it also destroys the lungs.
As the disease progresses, the patient's lungs will steadily worsen, and they will need to be getting more and more nutrition.
Diets for CF patients are very different from those of the average person without CF, as this disease affects all nutrients that go into the body.
This is a disease that calls for a certain type of diet for youths, one that is often double the calories of the diet of an average teenager.
Because it is more difficult for CF patients to get the nutrients they need, instead of the typical 2,200-2,500 calorie a day diet, they may need 4,500-5,000 calories each day, maybe even more.
CF patients are not advised to eat low calorie foods (in fact, they should avoid them altogether), but those that are higher in calories, so they get the energy they need to fight their disease and survive longer.
But, even though it is recommended that these diets be high calorie, it is not recommended that the patients eat greasy, fried foods.
During the digestion process, the body needs to create more bile from the liver in order to digest fried foods, which is not good for CF patients.
This just goes to show that fried foods are not good for anyone, and if eaten at all (obviously not by CF patients), they should be eaten in moderation.
Another problem with CF is the fact that it affects the sweat glands.
Most people will sweat out sodium and chloride.
These sit beneath the skin, and in time are reabsorbed by the body.
This is not the case with CF patients.
When a person has CF, instead of sweating out sodium and chloride, these mineral compounds just sit on the top of the skin, and are not absorbed, which leads to a deficiency.
Contrary to popular belief, everyone needs a certain amount of salt in their bodies, or there will be an electrolyte imbalance, which can cause heart arrhythmias.
All CF patients, even children and babies, should put salt on their foods as often as possible.
And, children with CF need to get a lot of water, about two quarts per day, and more when the weather is especially warm, as they are often dehydrated.
Using Dietary Supplements Can Help There are many things that can be done to help CF patients get some of the nutrition they need.
Most children who have CF go through physical therapy each day, which helps to loosen the mucus, making it easier for food to be digested.
They also receive antibiotics and other medications, which will help to treat their lungs and prevent infections.
Another form of treatment is enzymatic supplements, which help to aid in digestion.
Unfortunately, it may seem like a child with CF does nothing but take pills all day, because they may be prescribed as many as 20 or more different types of pills.
In addition to the above treatments, many patients use dietary supplements to get the nutrients they need.
Protein supplements can be a great benefit to CF patients, for a number of reasons, including the fact that they provide much-needed protein and other vitamins and nutrients which are more absorbable than those found in many foods.
There are many different types of protein supplements available, such as protein powders, liquid protein shots and protein snacks, like the bars and puddings you see in many health food stores.
There are also protein-enhanced waters, which not only provide nourishment, but keep the patient hydrated.
Protein Powders There are different types of proteins used in protein powders, the most popular being whey, soy, rice and egg.
Whey is the most easily digested protein, and is one of the most popular proteins in supplements.
This is the least expensive type of protein supplement, and is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all eight of the essential amino acids and all 14 of the non-essential amino acids.
Whey is a bi-product of the cheese-making process, and some of its benefits include being an immunity booster.
Because this is a milk product, whey may not be the ideal supplement for those who are lactose intolerant, or are allergic to milk and milk products.
Soy is another popular protein used in supplements, and it is another that is very digestible.
It is the only complete protein that is plant-based, and it is also ideal for those who are vegetarians.
And, using soy flour can help to improve the nutritional value of other foods, which is a great benefit for CF patients.
Egg protein is made from egg whites, and is considered to be the most perfect source of protein.
It has the highest concentration of the amino acids argine, methionine, glydcine and alanine.
And, last but not least, rice powder is another complete protein, and it is also hypoallergenic, so it is great for everyone, including vegetarians and those with food allergies.
Liquid Protein Shots Another great way for CF patients to get more protein in their diets is to use liquid protein shots.
These provide all kinds of protein, as well as other nutrients.
Getting the Proper Medical Care is Essential It is important that children and teenagers who have CF get their nutrient levels checked on a very regular basis.
Often, it will be necessary to alter the amount of supplements used, depending on the nutritional needs at that particular time.
Sometimes they will need more nutrients, other times, less.
This is just one reason why it is so important for CF patients to visit a physician regularly, to make sure that they are in the best health possible.
This condition is Cystic Fibrosis, or CF, and although deadly, in recent decades, patients have been known to live longer.
In fact, while at one time children with this condition were not expected to live past the age of 21, many are living well into their thirties and older.
And, although it is dangerous, some female patients are even getting pregnant and delivering babies these days.
How CF Affects Patients There are many factors of CF that can affect patients.
For one thing, it can wreak havoc on the digestive process.
Normally, when a person eats, the food will slide through the digestive tract with the help of slippery mucus.
When the food breaks down, the nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls, and then go into the bloodstream.
The, the heart will circulate the nutrients to the various parts of the body that they need to be.
With CF patients, it does not work this way.
The mucus in the digestive tract is not slippery, but thick and gummy, so food does not slide through easily.
Because of this, food does not digest properly for CF patients, and, even though patients eat the food they need to, they are not getting the proper nutrition, so they are actually malnourished.
In addition to causing malnourishment, CF affects patients' growth patterns, and, it also destroys the lungs.
As the disease progresses, the patient's lungs will steadily worsen, and they will need to be getting more and more nutrition.
Diets for CF patients are very different from those of the average person without CF, as this disease affects all nutrients that go into the body.
This is a disease that calls for a certain type of diet for youths, one that is often double the calories of the diet of an average teenager.
Because it is more difficult for CF patients to get the nutrients they need, instead of the typical 2,200-2,500 calorie a day diet, they may need 4,500-5,000 calories each day, maybe even more.
CF patients are not advised to eat low calorie foods (in fact, they should avoid them altogether), but those that are higher in calories, so they get the energy they need to fight their disease and survive longer.
But, even though it is recommended that these diets be high calorie, it is not recommended that the patients eat greasy, fried foods.
During the digestion process, the body needs to create more bile from the liver in order to digest fried foods, which is not good for CF patients.
This just goes to show that fried foods are not good for anyone, and if eaten at all (obviously not by CF patients), they should be eaten in moderation.
Another problem with CF is the fact that it affects the sweat glands.
Most people will sweat out sodium and chloride.
These sit beneath the skin, and in time are reabsorbed by the body.
This is not the case with CF patients.
When a person has CF, instead of sweating out sodium and chloride, these mineral compounds just sit on the top of the skin, and are not absorbed, which leads to a deficiency.
Contrary to popular belief, everyone needs a certain amount of salt in their bodies, or there will be an electrolyte imbalance, which can cause heart arrhythmias.
All CF patients, even children and babies, should put salt on their foods as often as possible.
And, children with CF need to get a lot of water, about two quarts per day, and more when the weather is especially warm, as they are often dehydrated.
Using Dietary Supplements Can Help There are many things that can be done to help CF patients get some of the nutrition they need.
Most children who have CF go through physical therapy each day, which helps to loosen the mucus, making it easier for food to be digested.
They also receive antibiotics and other medications, which will help to treat their lungs and prevent infections.
Another form of treatment is enzymatic supplements, which help to aid in digestion.
Unfortunately, it may seem like a child with CF does nothing but take pills all day, because they may be prescribed as many as 20 or more different types of pills.
In addition to the above treatments, many patients use dietary supplements to get the nutrients they need.
Protein supplements can be a great benefit to CF patients, for a number of reasons, including the fact that they provide much-needed protein and other vitamins and nutrients which are more absorbable than those found in many foods.
There are many different types of protein supplements available, such as protein powders, liquid protein shots and protein snacks, like the bars and puddings you see in many health food stores.
There are also protein-enhanced waters, which not only provide nourishment, but keep the patient hydrated.
Protein Powders There are different types of proteins used in protein powders, the most popular being whey, soy, rice and egg.
Whey is the most easily digested protein, and is one of the most popular proteins in supplements.
This is the least expensive type of protein supplement, and is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all eight of the essential amino acids and all 14 of the non-essential amino acids.
Whey is a bi-product of the cheese-making process, and some of its benefits include being an immunity booster.
Because this is a milk product, whey may not be the ideal supplement for those who are lactose intolerant, or are allergic to milk and milk products.
Soy is another popular protein used in supplements, and it is another that is very digestible.
It is the only complete protein that is plant-based, and it is also ideal for those who are vegetarians.
And, using soy flour can help to improve the nutritional value of other foods, which is a great benefit for CF patients.
Egg protein is made from egg whites, and is considered to be the most perfect source of protein.
It has the highest concentration of the amino acids argine, methionine, glydcine and alanine.
And, last but not least, rice powder is another complete protein, and it is also hypoallergenic, so it is great for everyone, including vegetarians and those with food allergies.
Liquid Protein Shots Another great way for CF patients to get more protein in their diets is to use liquid protein shots.
These provide all kinds of protein, as well as other nutrients.
Getting the Proper Medical Care is Essential It is important that children and teenagers who have CF get their nutrient levels checked on a very regular basis.
Often, it will be necessary to alter the amount of supplements used, depending on the nutritional needs at that particular time.
Sometimes they will need more nutrients, other times, less.
This is just one reason why it is so important for CF patients to visit a physician regularly, to make sure that they are in the best health possible.
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